Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As is symbolized by the poppies we all wear in this House, I rise today to call attention to next week's national day recognizing Canadians and others who have devoted their lives in service of our freedom. Next Friday, Mr. Speaker, is Remembrance Day. We, in this House, sit in a privileged place. We are here, members of a democratic institution representing electors who have a franchise to vote according to their beliefs and their conscience. We practice a form of public government, consensus government. This is only practiced in northern Canada. We can do so because we and generations of our predecessors before us have worked to bring it about. We have developed this system and will continue to improve and perfect it as the truest, most authentic expression of the character and will of our communities and society which we can achieve. We do all this as citizens of Canada, one of the best countries in the world.
So many flaws, disputes, and challenges occupy so much of our daily national consciousness that it's easy to forget that we enjoy the freedom of a democratic system of public government. Indeed, we live under one of the most free and expressive systems of government that humankind has ever in its wisdom developed. We only do so because we have freedom, Mr. Speaker, and we must never forget that it was built on the courage and sacrifices of men and women who served this country and fought for those ideals. We achieved that freedom over generations because of the sacrifices of men and women in service, and we keep that freedom today because selfless people continue to serve, to place themselves at risk, to do their work of the nation, to preserve the quality of life that we hold so dear.
So, next Friday, Mr. Speaker, it's important that we take the opportunity to pay our respects. We should honour the men and women who serve Canada, the many who have served in the past, whose selfless sacrifices make it possible for us to be here today, and those who work now, showing the face of Canadian freedom and democracy, the pride of who Canadians are as a people and a nation to the world, lest we forget. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.